Rescue and recovery crews in Washington state have recovered the bodies of six workers following a rupture at a chemical tank facility, officials confirmed Thursday. Nine workers were initially reported missing after the incident, leaving three still unaccounted for as search efforts continue under hazardous conditions.

Authorities have been working to dilute contaminated water at the site to allow recovery teams safer access to the affected areas. The nature of the chemicals involved has complicated both the search operations and broader containment efforts, requiring specialized response teams.

The incident has prompted scrutiny of safety protocols at the facility. Officials have not yet publicly identified the victims or released detailed information about the circumstances that led to the tank rupture, though investigations are underway.

Environmental and emergency response teams remain on scene to manage the ongoing contamination threat while recovery operations continue. Officials have not given a timeline for when the remaining three missing workers might be located, citing the dangerous conditions still present at the site.